VEN. LAMA JIGME CHOKYI LODRO

Venerable Lama Jigme Chokyi Lodro is the head of the Palyul Foundation of Canada and Orgyan Osal Cho Dzong Buddhist Temple and Retreat Centre. Born in Niagara Falls in 1956, Lama Jigme first met Venerable Peling Tulku Rinpoche in 1976 and became a Buddhist shortly thereafter. Since that time, he studied and practiced the Buddhist path with Peling Rinpoche, becoming his personal assistant and taking novice vows in 1980, monks vows in 1988 and then full ordination (Bikkshu) from His Holiness Penor Rinpoche in India in 1995. He has received extensive and complete teachings from Peling Rinpoche, as well as many important cycles of initiation from His Holiness. In addition to assisting Rinpoche and managing the retreat centre for the past 34 years, Lama Jigme has undertaken many long and short retreats of several deities, covering the four levels of tantra. Peling Rinpoche, confident in the depth of Lama Jigme’s practice and understanding of the Dharma, gave him the title Dharma Acharya and permission to teach.

Lama Jigme, who is is well known and appreciated for his strong devotion, discipline and humility, assumed responsibility for the Palyul Foundation of Canada and Orgyan Osal Cho Dzong upon Peling Rinpoche’s death in May 2009. Before passing away, Peling Rinpoche wrote a letter to the Heart Sons of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, which included the following: “My heart son and Dharma heir, Lama Jigme Pawo Bar Wang Trak Thun Dorje Chokyi Lodro, has been my close student and attendant for thirty-two years. Since first meeting him I have believed him to be an incarnation of Jigme Lingpa and Pema Lingpa’s son, Dawa Gyaltsen and an emanation of Vajrapani. It is my sincere wish that he be recognized and enthroned as such.” On August 20th, 2010, Their Eminences Khentrul Gyangkang and Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoches fulfilled the first part of Peling Rinpoche’s wish by enthroning Lama Jigme as his regent.